This page brings together every way we support English learners: ELL Literacy Libraries for building content-area vocabulary and reading skills, and the Welcome Libraries, built specifically for newcomers and SLIFE students adapting to life and school in the United States. Every collection is topic-based and comes in tween (GO!) and teen versions, so you can match a set to your students' age and background.
These easy-to-order bundles bring together proven Saddleback libraries so students new to the U.S. have everything they need in one order. The ELL and ELL 2 Literacy Libraries build content-area vocabulary with real-world nonfiction and fiction on subjects like American history, science, and math. Welcome Newcomers pairs fiction and nonfiction across 14 key topics with Survival Vocabulary Cards to help students adapt academically and socially, while Welcome Newcomers Fundamentals covers the same topics at an emergent reading level as a stepping stone in. The Tween Bundle (Grades 4-8) and Teen Bundle (Grades 9-12) share all four libraries; the Teen Bundle also adds Welcome Newcomers Stories, real accounts from teens who immigrated to the U.S.
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The ELL Literacy Libraries for tweens and teens build content-area vocabulary and reading skills for English learners, including newcomers, using fiction and nonfiction organized around real subjects like American history, science, and math. ELL 2 is a companion set covering five different genres (arts, ancient history, earth and space science, health and wellness, and money math), so the two can be used together without repeating content.
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GO! ELL Tween Literacy LibraryGrades: 4 to 8 |
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ELL Teen Literacy LibraryGrades: 9 to 12 |
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GO! ELL 2 Tween Literacy LibraryGrades: 4 to 8 |
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ELL 2 Teen Literacy LibraryGrades: 9 to 12 |
Welcome Newcomers for tweens and teens was designed for immigrant students new to life in the United States. Developed around 14 key topics, this library pairs fiction and nonfiction by topic, with teacher support and Survival Vocabulary Cards, giving recent immigrants relevant information as they adapt both academically and socially.
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GO! Welcome NewcomersGrades: 4 to 8 |
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Welcome NewcomersGrades: 9 to 12 |
Welcome Newcomers Fundamentals for tweens and teens is an emergent-level starter set and companion to Welcome Newcomers, covering the same 14 topics at a significantly lower reading level. Each book is a standalone realistic-fiction story, so it works independently or as a stepping stone into the full Welcome Newcomers library.
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GO! Welcome Newcomers FundamentalsGrades: 4 to 8 |
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Welcome Newcomers FundamentalsGrades: 9 to 12 |
Welcome SLIFE for tweens and teens supports English learners with limited or interrupted formal education, including migrants and refugees. Its emergent-level books span five genres and twenty key topics, each nonfiction and fiction pair building content-area vocabulary alongside literacy skills for striving readers.
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GO! Welcome SLIFEGrades: 6 to 8 |
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Welcome SLIFEGrades: 9 to 12 |
Welcome Newcomers Stories is a collection of autobiographical books based on real interviews with teen newcomers, each one telling a personal story of immigrating to the United States alongside a nonfiction introduction to that student's home country.
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Welcome Newcomers StoriesGrades: 9 to 12 |
Reading plays an important role in English language development by giving students repeated, meaningful exposure to vocabulary, sentence structures, and language in context. As English learners engage with accessible texts, they strengthen comprehension, build fluency, and develop the background knowledge and language skills needed for academic success.
For newcomers and students at earlier stages of English proficiency, the right books can provide an essential bridge to learning. Age-respectful, appropriately leveled texts allow students to build literacy and English language skills without sacrificing engaging content or topics that reflect their interests, experiences, and age.
Well-designed ELL books give English learners meaningful opportunities to build language and literacy skills through accessible, engaging text. Carefully controlled vocabulary, supportive context, and appropriate reading levels help students develop comprehension and confidence as their English proficiency grows.
ELL books also provide repeated exposure to essential vocabulary, sentence structures, and language patterns in context. For newcomers and developing English learners, these supports can help strengthen reading fluency and comprehension while building the language skills needed for greater independence in school and everyday life.
Selecting the right materials starts with understanding each student’s age, English proficiency, reading level, and educational background. English learners are not a single group: some students may have strong literacy skills in their home language, while newcomers may be developing English alongside the academic and social skills needed to navigate a new school environment.
Students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE) may need additional support with foundational literacy and academic concepts. Matching students with appropriately leveled, age-respectful materials helps ensure they can access meaningful content while building the language and literacy skills they need to progress.
Every English learner brings a different combination of language proficiency, literacy skills, educational experience, and background to the classroom. Saddleback’s ELL, newcomer, and SLIFE resources are designed to help educators meet students where they are with accessible, age-respectful books that build language, literacy, and confidence.
Not sure which collection is the best fit for your students? Our team can help you identify the right resources based on grade level, reading level, English proficiency, and prior educational experience.
Contact us to find the right ELL, newcomer, or SLIFE solution for your students.
